CHENNAI: Thanking all the allies who joined in the demonstration by DMK MPs’ at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Thursday to protest the ‘murder of democracy’ in Jammu and Kashmir following the recent developments, the DMK president M.K. Stalin emphasised that the Centre should create a conducive atmosphere for normalcy and peace to return to the people of J and K and to release all the former Chief Ministers and political party leaders detained there.
Speaking to reporters in Chennai after the Delhi protest, Mr. Stalin said 14 opposition parties had joined the DMK stir in Delhi. They included Congress, Trinamul Congress, CP(I)M, CPI, Samajwadi Party, RJD, National Conference, MDMK, Lok Tantrik Janata Dal of Sharad Yadav. “It was a very successful demonstration with leaders and MPs’ of these parties expressing solidarity with the DMK’s protest and I thank all of them who heeded to our call,” said Stalin.
To a query, he clarified that DMK had moved the court not to stall the Local Bodies elections in Tamil Nadu, but only to ensure it was held properly, following the reservation of wards for SC/ST and women.
Resolution on J and K Developments:
Mr. Stalin also read out the resolution adopted by DMK and its allies at the Delhi protest today on the J and K developments. The resolution said, "as a consequence of abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution in respect of J and K, without following due process of consultation with the people of the State or their elected representatives, an undeclared state of Emergency has come into the force in the valley. We stand by the people of J and K in their difficult hour.
Stating that decisions taken by the Centre to impose "complete communication black-out and the continued detention of former Chief Ministers and political leaders including former ministers, Ex-MLAs', academics, members of civil society and even innocent citizens running into thousands are a matter of concern," the resolution demanded their immediate release and immediate restoration of normalcy and communications "so that people can reach out to their loved ones and their family members."
